The believer’s anointing

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One and all of you know the truth" (1 John 2:20).

"As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in him" (1 John 2:27).

"And this is how we know that he lives in us; we know it by the Spirit he gave us" (1 John 3:24).

"This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: he has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:13).

"And it is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit it the truth" ( 1 John 5:6).

The letter of 1 John enlarges what Jesus taught his apostles at the last supper ( John 13-16).

After instituting the practice of receiving the bread and the wine in remembrance of him, Jesus told them he would send his Spirit to them; "it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you" (John 16:7).

As John writes this letter he is clear that the Spirit is a real, living, teaching presence in us that leads the believer into truth. As the anointing of the Spirit remains in us, Jesus lives in us through his Spirit.

Jesus said,

"The wind blows where it pleases. You hear it’s sound but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).

"Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" (John 7:38).

We disciples should ask the Holy Spirit to fill us, teach us, empower us and pour the love of Christ into us so we understand more and more of the inheritance, hope and power that we have in Christ.